Cesare Zavattini at 120: A Multifaceted Intellectual

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth, Artribune highlights the life of Cesare Zavattini (Luzzara, 1902 – Rome, 1989), a multifaceted poet, writer, humorist, screenwriter, and journalist. In 1936, he established the satirical publication Bertoldo, working alongside Giovanni Mosca, Giovannino Guareschi, and Saul Steinberg. He departed from Bertoldo in 1937 to join Marc'Aurelio, a weekly that opposed fascism. After the war, Zavattini wrote for Vie Nuove, Epoca, and Noi donne. His notable literary works include Ipocrita 1943 (1955), I poveri sono matti (1937), Io sono il diavolo (1941), and Totò il buono (1943). In film, he played a significant role in neorealism, penning screenplays for Sciuscià, Ladri di biciclette, and Umberto D., partnering with Vittorio De Sica until 1974, and co-creating Un paese (1955) with Paul Strand, in addition to writing the screenplay for La guerra (1960).